Death Threat for following the law

On Wednesday night, I was out biking and, driver threatened to run me down without any problem, the next time he sees' me.

I was 'taking the lane', within the language of, BOTH, the state statutes and, the state Drivers Manual. I did not do it out of ignorance or, bad judgment. I did it out of safety. I lights on my bike and, I wear a reflective windbreaker, along with my helmet.

The police say, they have to witness it, before they will do anything.

He is probably all talk...No one in the right mind would be ignorant enough to put out a threat like that, though I could be wrong. When people get angry they say things, and of course in a act of killing someone, I strongly doubt he will do anything.

I really wouldn't worry too much, but I'd just keep a close eye over your shoulder just incase.

He is probably all talk...No one in the right mind would be ignorant enough to put out a threat like that, though I could be wrong. When people get angry they say things, and of course in a act of killing someone, I strongly doubt he will do anything.

I really wouldn't worry too much, but I'd just keep a close eye over your shoulder just incase.

The helmet cam is actually a reality. The NY Times had a review of a tiny flash-based (IIRC) video camera that had a break-out lens unit (attached by a cable) that you could strap to anything, including a bike helmet. I totally want one.

As for the OP, don't sweat it. That micro-weinered-dumba55 is probably all talk.

Originally Posted by Blue Order

Originally Posted by sknhgy

I do not want to be associated with the kind of riders that come through my neck of the woods on weekends, dressed in superhero costumes

Yes, there are indeed "pieces" composed mostly of Ti; more common is a Scandium frame and Titanium cylinder, with most other parts made of Ti and the barrel liner made of stainless steel. This does not, of course, constitute advice to carry a weapon; just providing information. Defensive riding can start by varying one's route, if possible.

On Wednesday night, I was out biking and, driver threatened to run me down without any problem, the next time he sees' me.

I was 'taking the lane', within the language of, BOTH, the state statutes and, the state Drivers Manual. I did not do it out of ignorance or, bad judgment. I did it out of safety. I lights on my bike and, I wear a reflective windbreaker, along with my helmet.

The police say, they have to witness it, before they will do anything.

Chris, could you explain in a bit more detail why you were in the middle of the road? What were your safety concerns?

*insert some super cool statement here to make me as cool as the rest of the super cool signature gang*

Chris, the cops didn't do anything because there's nothing to corroborate the incidence. However, it's called assault and in most places its a crime and you can press charges, even without a witness. A confrontation becomes assault at the moment you feel threatened. When he said he would run you down, meaning he would use his car, it became assault with a deadly weapon, a felony in every state. If you're up to it, ask the cops what if he had showed a weapon, like a hand *** or baseball bat? a car is no different.

Chris, the cops didn't do anything because there's nothing to corroborate the incidence. However, it's called assault and in most places its a crime and you can press charges, even without a witness. A confrontation becomes assault at the moment you feel threatened. When he said he would run you down, meaning he would use his car, it became assault with a deadly weapon, a felony in every state. If you're up to it, ask the cops what if he had showed a weapon, like a hand *** or baseball bat? a car is no different.

Almost... an assault is usually where a reasonable person would fear imminent attack were they in your shoes. Note that it usually has to be 'imminent' which means saying 'i'll kill you someday you SOB" isn't technically assault.

Trying to hit someone is assault if you succeed in making them scared. (wierd factoid: under various statutes, scaring someone if they DON'T NOTICE isn't assault, including threatening them behind their back with a knife etc.) Trying to actually _hit_ someone will also be attempted homicide etc.

Trying to scare someone is also assault, so long as they're scared and a reasonable person would also be scared in their shoes.

Just FYI (slightly OT, but this comes up a lot): trying to scare someone, even by swerving close to them, is NOT 'attempted murder' or 'attempted homicide' as a general rule; the driver either needs to actually intend to injure, or be acting so recklessly (driving wrong way in a bike lane--that intent is assumed.

Scarry, why is it dumb to carry a weapon? You wear a helmet, right? And your brakes work?

Well, there are threats to your safety out there that brakes and helmets won't stop, but a determined, armed individual can.

Sorry, but you and I just think differently. I'd like to do a survey of all the Bay Area bike clubs and find out how many are packing. But in my 40 years of riding, and meeting many, many cyclists, I've yet to find one packing.

Sorry, but you and I just think differently. I'd like to do a survey of all the Bay Area bike clubs and find out how many are packing. But in my 40 years of riding, and meeting many, many cyclists, I've yet to find one packing.

You're viewpoint is a very small minority.

I don't think that either Don nor I would think that using a firearm in this instance is wise, but I do carry one while I cycle (and all of the rest of the time, for that matter). The problem in the bay area is that no one is legally allowed to carry a firearm. Now, some people do carry illegally, but do you think they are going to tell you about it?